A CLUB owner has vowed that the music will play on today after his nightclub's locks were changed in a dramatic early morning business showdown.

Rebecca Lefort

A CLUB owner has vowed that the music will play on today after his nightclub's locks were changed in a dramatic early morning business showdown.

A locksmith and a landlord's representative arrived at the Fire and Ice nightclub in Tacket Street in Ipswich town centre at around 6.15am today, with the aim of repossessing the building.

The locks of the popular venue were changed, but after negotiations the club's managers were given the new set of keys and the bailiffs left.

Today Trevor Hollinsworth, owner of Fire and Ice as well as Harvey's bar in Ipswich, said it was due to a misunderstanding. He added he had not even been aware of the incident until he received a call from The Evening Star.

He vowed that it was business as usual today, with the 'Anti-social High' and 'RnB vs Dancehall' events due to be held tonight.

“Fire and Ice is still here,” he said.

“There was a guy down here who was going to take repossession, but it was a misunderstanding and he went away.

“We are still here and we are still operating, doing exactly what we did the week before.”

Mr Hollinsworth said he had been shocked when he was called this morning and told of the drama unfolding as his club, but after making several phonecalls he was certain the immediate problem could be solved.

However both Fire and Ice and Harvey's remain in financial difficulties.

Earlier this month the venues attempted to enter into a Company Voluntary Agreement to help keep afloat.

That option has now fallen through, but Mr Hollinsworth said he was determined they would survive the economic woes.

“We're all having to fight for business these days,” he added.

“We're not the only firm in town in this situation, but we're moving on.”